The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee of County Durham Council met on Thursday 18 June 2026 to consider a Temporary Event Notice for Grace Kelly's in Seaham. The notice requested extended trading hours to allow patrons to watch live World Cup games. Objections were raised by Durham County Council's Environmental Health Department and Durham Constabulary, citing concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder, and the prevention of public nuisance.

Consideration of a Temporary Event Notice for Grace Kelly's, Seaham

The committee was scheduled to consider a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) submitted by Rebecca Coulthard of One Lease Seaham Limited for Grace Kelly's, located at 6 North Terrace, Seaham SR7 7EU. The TEN sought to extend the licensable activities at the premises from 00:00am to 03:00am on Sunday 28 June 2026, to facilitate the viewing of live World Cup games.

Objections to the TEN were received from Mr John Hayes of Durham County Council's Environmental Health Department and PC Gavin Rutter of Durham Constabulary. Both objections were lodged on the grounds that the proposed extended hours would undermine the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance.

The report pack indicated that the TEN was for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises and late-night refreshment for a maximum of 100 people. The premises already holds a premises licence (DCCC/PLA0860) under the Licensing Act 2003¹.

PC Gavin Rutter, representing Durham Constabulary, noted that the proposed hours significantly exceeded those already permitted by the premises licence. He highlighted that the specific England match scheduled for that date was a group stage fixture expected to conclude well before the requested terminal hours, and therefore, no exceptional licensing need for an extension was apparent. The objection also raised concerns that extending trading hours would increase the propensity for drunkenness and alcohol-fuelled violence, potentially impacting crime and disorder and public nuisance. A key concern raised was that a TEN effectively deregulates controls present in a premises licence, meaning existing conditions might not apply.

Mr John Hayes, Principal Environment Protection Officer for Durham County Council, also objected on the grounds of preventing public nuisance. He noted that Grace Kelly's is situated in a mixed commercial and residential area, with noise-sensitive receptors nearby. Mr Hayes expressed difficulty in contacting the premises user and highlighted that the proposed extension to 03:00am was considered excessive, particularly given the lack of consideration for neighbours. He also pointed out that the proposed hours appeared to be solely for extending drinking times, which is discouraged by the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2024 to 2029². Furthermore, Mr Hayes referenced a planning condition from 2011 (Reference PL/5/2011/0339) that restricted the premises' opening hours to between 08:00 and 23:00, and a subsequent refusal in 2018 (Reference DM/18/00698/VOC) to vary this condition to allow opening until 01:00. He argued that licensing decisions should not undermine planning decisions, which take primacy.

The report pack included guidance from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA)³ on managing World Cup 2026 events, which offered advice to licensees. It also referenced relevant sections of Durham County Council's Statement of Licensing Policy and guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003⁴.

The Sub-Committee was asked to consider whether to allow the event to proceed, allow it to proceed with conditions from the existing premises licence, or prohibit the event. The report recommended that the Sub-Committee give appropriate weight to the steps to promote licensing objectives, the objections presented, the Durham County Council Statement of Licensing Policy, and the Section 182 Guidance.